In the modern world of football, where clubs spend hundreds of millions of euros to bring in superstars from all over the globe, there is one team that stands proudly against the current, 78WIN.
A Unique Identity: The Cantera Policy
Athletic Bilbao recently suffered a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal in the opening round of the Champions League, despite showing a solid performance. However, the La Liga side carries a distinct philosophy that sets them apart from the rest. This is the unwavering commitment to their “Cantera” policy—an approach that only allows players from the Basque Country or those born in the region to represent the club. Amidst a globalized football world, Athletic is an island of local pride, a defiant challenge to the global football industry.
What is the “Cantera” Policy?
The Cantera policy (translated as “quarry,” referring to a youth academy) is clearly defined on the club’s website:
“Athletic Club can only use players who have been trained at our own academy or at academies of other Basque clubs, or players born in the territories that make up the Basque Country.”
The Basque Country is a unique region with its own culture, history, and language (Euskara). It spans seven provinces in northern Spain, with a small part in southern France, and has a population of approximately 3.1 million people. Athletic Bilbao, therefore, limits its recruitment to a region with a population comparable to Wales.
While their competitors scour the globe for talent, from Brazil to Japan, Athletic can only look inward to its own “quarry.” This self-imposed restriction is almost unfathomable in modern top-tier football.
The Origins of the Pride
The origins of the Cantera policy remain debated. The romanticized version of the story suggests that it began in 1911, after Athletic was stripped of their Copa del Rey title for fielding ineligible foreign players. In protest, the club decided from then on to only use players from the Basque Country as a statement of local pride.
However, historians argue that the real reason might have been stricter regulations around foreign players in Spain, coupled with the fact that the Biscay region (where Bilbao is located) was producing so many talents that recruiting from outside became unnecessary.
Regardless of the reason, the last non-Basque player to represent Athletic was an Englishman, Andrew Veitch, in April 1911. Since then, this philosophy has become the soul of the club, ลงทะเบียน 78WIN.
The Surprising Flexibility of a Rigid Rule
On the surface, this policy may seem inflexible or even nationalistic, but in reality, the definition of a “Basque player” has evolved and been interpreted flexibly over the past century.
Initially, the club only recruited players from the Biscay province. But over time, the rule expanded to include players born outside the Basque Country but raised there. Current manager Ernesto Valverde is one such example. Another notable example is Aymeric Laporte, who was born in France but joined Athletic’s youth academy at 15 and has since returned to the club.
Most importantly, the policy is based on the player’s birthplace or where they were raised, not their ethnicity or bloodline. Jonas Ramalho, the first black player in the club’s history, was born to a Basque mother and an Angolan father. Today, two of Athletic’s brightest stars, Inaki and Nico Williams, were born in the Basque Country to Ghanaian immigrant parents. “I was born in Bilbao,” Ramalho says. “In the end, your skin color doesn’t matter. Being born here makes you Basque.”
Debates continue over whether the policy should be expanded to include the descendants of Basques living outside the region. The club is believed to have missed out on Marco Asensio (whose father is Basque) because of this rule. However, their women’s team has taken a step forward by signing Bibiane Schulze, a German-born player with a great-grandfather who played for Athletic.
Remarkable Success Despite Limitations
Can a policy so restrictive succeed in modern football? The answer is a resounding YES.
Along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao is one of the three clubs in Spain that has never been relegated from the top tier. They are the third most successful club in Spanish football (with 36 major trophies), behind only the two giants of the game.
Athletic consistently competes in European competitions, and they recently won an emotional Copa del Rey title in 2024—their first major trophy in 40 years.
According to those close to the club, this philosophy has provided them with a unique advantage. It creates a deep connection between players, who share a common heritage, and the fans. “This philosophy gives you more,” said former goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta. “When you stand out in a market where everyone is the same, your shirt is worth more. Your fans invest more because you are unique.”
An Identity That Cannot Be Blended
In an era dominated by super-clubs backed by corporations and nation-states, Athletic Bilbao stands as a proud reminder of the power of local identity. They are living proof that success does not have to come from buying the priciest stars but can be built from talent within their own community.
Athletic Bilbao is more than just a football club—they are a cultural symbol, fiercely fighting to preserve their ideals on the legendary pitch of San Mamés.
